Hockey: Keep Your Stick On The Ice

The 2010-2011 NHL hockey season officially kicked off yesterday afternoon and so far the games we've been given have been pretty interesting, in some cases quite close and others ridiculously surprising.

I've opted to rejoin one of my old hockey pools, for a bit of nostalgia - and the hope that I can swindle some noobs out of their rupees.

A lot of teams and players have a lot to prove this coming season. Whether it be for a rebound year, a second chance at glory or for bittersweet redemption, each and every team in the league has something to prove this year.

It's hard to ignore that at the beginning of every season eyes are almost guaranteed to be locked on the leagues biggest stars and success stories from the past.

The Washington Capitals and the likes of players such as Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Green will have a lot to prove this coming season. After blowing away the competition during the regular season last year and claiming the Presidents Trophy they ended up blowing a tire in the first round of the playoffs, when they were eliminated in game 7 by the Montreal Canadiens.

The Pittsburgh Penguins equally will have many eyes on them, and their new fancy arena, after also succumbing in the second round to the Habs, during their Stanley Cup defense run last season. Their fan-dangled new arena didn't get the inauguration they were hoping for today however, as the Pens lost 3-2 to last years Eastern Conference champs, the Philadelphia Flyers.

Speaking of the Flyers, they'll have a lot to prove this season, as they hope to show that their success down the stretch last season wasn't just a fluke. From my perspective, they should have ample opportunity to prove it wasn't, as they now tout one of, if not the, strongest defenses in the league, and the talent up front to get the job done. So long as their 'high flyers' don't fall into any slumps.

Last years Stanley Cup champs, the Chicago Blackhawks equally have a lot to prove. After shipping away a large portion of their former roster during the post-season, many people are doubting the Hawks' ability to repeat. They do still possess a strong forward core with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp, and of course the rock solid defensive tandem of Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith.

Jiri Hudler is back from the KHL and ready to have a breakout season with the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit has long been one of my favorite clubs and should rarely be counted out, especially with players of the caliber of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Franzen, Lidstrom and Kronwall.

The Edmonton Oilers are most likely the most hopeful team in the league, wishing for a complete 180 of a season, following last years ludicrous disaster. First round draft pick Taylor Hall and fellow rookie Magnus Paarjavi will hope to flourish. Things are off to a good start for them, as they shutout the Calgary Flames today 4-0, in a great season opener.

Steve Yzerman has given the Tampa Bay Lightning a new breathe of life. Despite a disappointing run last year, the 2004 Stanley Cup champs still managed to wow the hockey world with Steven Stamkos' breakout 51 goal sophomore season. Continued support from Martin St. Louis and a resurgence by Vincent Lecavalier could give the Bolts just the charge they need to make it back into the playoff picture.


You could go on and list almost every team and what questions they will have to face, and obstacles they'll have to surmount - but I'm way too lazy for that.

Other teams to keep an eye on this year:

• Phoenix Coyotes
• Los Angeles Kings & their Ice Girls
• New Jersey Devils
• Montreal Canadiens 

You would think I'd be saying to keep an eye on the Ottawa Senators, seeing as how they're technically the 'Home Team'. But I gave up on them years ago.

The only thing the Sens ever did right was win me 150$ when they lost in the Stanley Cup finals to Anaheim back in 2007.

Here's to a sure fire kickass hockey season.